Fellaini: Mobbed after scoring the winner

Share this article:

Everton 2-1 Fulham

Everton came from behind to record a 2-1 FA Cup fourth round win over Fulham at Goodison Park on Friday night.

It was a deserved win for the Toffees as they put in a committed performance on the night.

The visitors went ahead in the 13th minute with a goal of controversial nature - former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy netted from the spot after John Heitinga was adjudged to have handled Damien Duff’s shot as he flew in to make a challenge.

The contact on the hand was made from point blank range and it appeared a harsh decision by Howard Webb on the Dutch international.

After that though it was the home side who looked more dangerous as they worked hard to overcome the early setback.

Young defender Shane Duffy spurned a good chance at an equaliser when he headed wide from a Magaye Gueye cross, before Tim Cahill forced Cottagers keeper David Stockdale into saving his back-post header.

Everton got their reward after 27 minutes when Argentine Denis Stracqualursi got on the end of a Landon Donovan cross for his first goal for the club.

Donovan was a constant threat to the London side’s defence and Stockdale did well to deny the American from scoring with a long range shot before the break, while Cahill failed to find the target after a goalmouth scramble.

The second half was tight and it was only as the game moved into the final 20 minutes that the match came to life, with Everton the side looking more likely to score.

The winner came in the 73rd minute. Donovan was again the supplier, picking out Marouane Fellaini at the far post, for the Belgium international to score with an expertly executed header.

Everton nearly added a third late on but Cahill hit the bar with his header from Phil Neville’s cross.